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Story Highlights

As America's baby boomers age into Medicare, they also may reshape Michigan's network of community health centers — finding access to free health screenings there, appointments when they're sick and even a medical home.

In years past, "the focus of community health centers has been on the uninsured," said Philip Bergquist, director of health center operations for the Michigan Primary Care Association. That focus has begun to shift as federal health reform began offering insurance to millions of the formerly uninsured, he said.

"Now we're talking about an aging population," he said.

With Medicare, beneficiaries have access to a long list of preventive services and screenings — and in the first 12 months that they receive Medicare Part B, they also get a free Welcome to Medicare visit, one designed to establish a long-term relationship between doctor and patient. There are annual wellness visits, too, reimbursable by Medicare.

All of these things may send Medicare patients to community health centers which, in turn, means a boost in Medicare dollars that clinics may use to reinvest in new equipment and staff.

"With that higher payment level, will we be able to bring in specialized providers like geriatricians or additional primary care physicians? It's too early to know for sure, but there's an opportunity here," said Bergquist.

Contact Robin Erb at rerb@freepress.com or at 313-222-2708. Follow her on Twitter @Freephealth.